"Ah, but fortunately... I have the key... to escape reality..."

Fer gosh sakes! Wouldn't it be a better world, if we all weren't prescribed through the pharmaceutical companies? Natural things are better. I know this from my own life's experiences. Be well, to one and all - I love you!

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I've got 13 years on you and got advanced placement credit for writing a college entrance essay supporting the legalization of marijuana. I found it never really did much for me though. Luckily, I do not have the pain you are enduring and would not deny relief available through using marijuana. So many of our meds are plant-derived…even aspirin comes from the bark of a tree (I never went beyond Botany 101 so can't tell you which tree).

Although I am not a fan of Suzy Cohen's book, "Diabetes Without Drugs" she makes a cogent argument that many of our medical woes today may be due to the excessive processing of foods and their additives. Back to nature is not a bad thing. But, I'm also happy to be living now with all of the great advances that have been made. My Dad coped with Diabetes in the early 1950's until his death at 81 in the mid-70's…he had only saccharine, fewer diabetes-friendly foods, no meters or insulin pumps, only pork/beef-derived insulin, needed to resharpen his (huge guage) needles for injections and test his urine each morning for BG level. Dealing with Diabetes is never easy but it's definitely easier that Dad had it!

I too am a fiscal conservative and a human rights liberal and a lapsed Catholic…I like to think for myself.

The quote in this discussion "Ah, but fortunately…" is a song that was written by John Prine. You can go to iTunes, MySpace, or Playlist to find, and listen to this song. I had to mention the song's creator - it wouldn't have been right not to.

Gabby - there was a recent article on Fox News that was posted here in DC - on how marijuana can help diabetics, and, possibly even lead to a cure. I posted back about it, writing how Rupert Murdoch probably fell out his chair when he read the article. Bill O'Reilly probably went into apoplexy, if he read it (!). At this point, you can see how much I respect the journalistic integrity at Fox News.

As you can see, it is fairly obvious that I'm a liberal, politically. I'm a liberal in the old-school tradition of the Kennedy-era Democrats. Morally conservative, socially liberal. No, I'm not a 'wing nut'. I believe in Rowe vs. Wade, stem-cell research, and Darwinism. I also believe that teaching our children 'Intelligent Design' violates the separation of church and state, and throws pure science to the dogs. Though, there are some who would call "Intelligent Design" a "control" in a scientific experiment… And, yes - I'm fully aware of our dollar bills with "In God We Trust" printed on them, and placing your hand on a Bible when you have to testify in court.

You have your beliefs, I have mine. That stuff is pure, 100% USDA, Grade A b*******. Don't get me started on that subject - I was a Roman Catholic, until I reached the age of reason.

When you think about it, our Nation's Founding Fathers were definitely smoking marijuana when they created the Constitution, and the Bill Of Rights. "All men are created equal." Hmm… what was this 3/5 thing they thought of? What about women? The separation of church, and state. Hmm, again… go back to my second paragraph, for enlightenment. Also, check this out: there are letters written by George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, saying how much they enjoyed smoking their hemp crops in the late afternoon sunshine, when things were cooling off.

My profile here in DC, speaks volumes - I'm not afraid to share what I believe, but, I've been advised by other people here in DC to be careful in how much I stir things up, as they said (wrote) that this community - for the most part - is very conservative. I don't want to be banned from this community, as I really enjoy learning from other DC members (like yourself), and, I enjoy posting my observations. I'm sure you understand.

I've been in chronic pain for years, after back surgeries. I have degenerative disks. I take 3200 mg of Neurontin a day, just to help with nerve misfires.

Throw in the diabetes, and, I have a whole new taste treat to deal with. Muscle spasms, and the like. Reduced appetite, as my diet has been limited. I recently had six shots in my back (last Tuesday) of Marcaine, and corticosteroids. Do these help? Yes. To a point. For me, my 'full-blown' pain will return in about 5 weeks. It is still there, even as we speak. Like a dull, throbbing toothache. My cervical disks are shot, as well. It really, really hurts.

As I'm sure you know, there are documented disadvantages to taking most medicines - watch a Cymbalta TV commercial, for example. They spend more commercial time telling us about the possible adverse reactions some may experience when taking the drug than extolling its benefits.

When I've used marijuana in the past, it has helped with my pain - my depression - and, my appetite. I'm not trying to wave a banner that says: "It's okay to smoke dope!" For many, it's far from being okay. Many people now have to go through follicle testing (hair), and urinalysis before gaining employment at most jobs. To test for tetrahydrocannabinol - THC - the active drug within the marijuana plant.

Many people have been programmed into believing the stereotypical image of the hippy counter-culture back in the 1960s, when it comes to marijuana usage… lowered inhibitions… free love, baby… and all of that. Marijuana has received a bad rap over the years, with the old propaganda films like "Reefer Madness", President Reagan's 'War On Drugs', and a definite lack of support from most of the medical community.

I believe that cannabis laws need to be reformed. This could be a taxable resource, to help our nation get out of debt. It would also pave the way for other drugs that can be researched, as well as marijuana itself, to create newer ways of dealing with chronic pain - and, possibly finding new cures for many diseases. The pharmaceutical companies are already 'in bed' with most of the medical organizations here in the USA (I won't name them for libel reasons, but, I'm sure that you know who they are), and, it has been a long time coming for Americans to stand up to Big Pharm, their lobbyists, and special interest groups that support them.

We should have freedom of choice. In whatever we do. If you've finished reading this entry, thanks for hanging in there. To Diabetic Connect - I hope that I didn't ruffle too-many feathers. Within this mind-think, everyone here at DC wins - including a middle-aged, shaved-headed, spaghetti-bender… called SongDude.

Well said. We all have to find our ways, and too often we just want to be spoon fed with the poison of big pharma. When the cure is worse than the ailment, we must all pause and ponder what we are doing. My goal is to use the meds as short a time as I can and find a natural way to take care of myself. Choice is key, but with choice comes responsibility and we all need to learn to take more responsibility for our selves and for our choices.

If anyone wants to discuss what I'm talking about, then, message me here. There are too many people who are too right-wing, and too programmed to believe and understand what I know about. Be well, everyone.

If it only worked ,I would love it but the truth is 99% of what they say it will do it will not ,I know this from trying every thing they sed would help with D and other things and I may have gotten some help from them but it would have benn verry little Best wishesHarlen

We can agree to disagree, Harlen, but, the pharmaceutical companies keep getting $$$, while we're paying for it. Well, except for myself right now, as I have no income. I'll respect your opinion, and leave it at that. Have a good day, Harlen.

My Great Grandmother lived to be 97 yrs. old She always used natural herbs & did alot of gardening but she wore a 1800s style hat to shade herself from the sun. She never even owned an air conditioner until she was 90. The only drug sh ever took was aspirin up until she was 96 & then she started having problems and passed away at 97. I'm with Dietcherry; Pass that key!!!